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Showing posts with label New Authors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Authors. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Welcome to Tracey Devlyn, Author of A Lady's Revenge, PLUS Giveaway

Hello Tracey! Thank you for sharing at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Martha, thank you so much for having me at Martha’s Bookshelf. Really excited to be here.

Questions for Tracey:
Q1  What inspired you to combine thriller/suspense elements with historical romance?
As a reader, historical romance was always my first love. I found, though, that I gravitated toward historicals with a suspense subplot. For me, the suspense adds an extra layer of interest and reveals a different side of the hero and heroine. From a writer’s perspective, I just love torturing my characters. J

Q2  Are the three books in your contract with Sourcebooks part of a series and if so did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?  If they are stand alone would you share a little about the genre, idea, why they were accepted as a group of three?
Yes, the three books are part of a series. Since the main characters in books two and three are closely associated with the heroine of A Lady’s Revenge, the storylines flowed naturally from book one. But I only had a general idea (aka one descriptive paragraph) of the subsequent stories when I sold.

Q3  Please share with us one surprising thing about your experience writing A Lady’sRevenge, or about something else related to your career as a writer.
As writers, we’re constantly being told that our first story will likely not sell, that we should consider it a learning experience and move on to the next. We’re told these things to spare us a certain amount of heartbreak and to keep us moving forward. The advice is well meant and, at times, spot on. But sometimes, we have to go with our gut and trust that it will let us know when the gig is up. My gut told me to give A Lady’s Revenge one more chance, and I did. I’m so glad I listened.

Q4  How do find your characters and personalities?  Is there any special inspiration?
Great question! I’ve never thought about this before. Looking back, my heroes and heroines tend to reveal themselves pretty quickly. Normally, one character shows up first and then I come up with a perfect foil for that character. The secondary characters develop out of a need to showcase the hero and heroine and they often provide some much-needed comic relief.

Q5  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?
The only thing that comes to mind is “Git-R-Done,” but that’s cheating. J

Q6  How do you handle it when some element of what you're writing decides that it just doesn't want to work the way you want it to?
Most of the time, I go with the flow and trust that the current doesn’t take me over a ginormous waterfall.


Questions for Cora

Q1  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?
Survivor
Q2  What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?
I’d never let my brother Ethan have the last word. He’s rather too sure of himself and must be reminded of who’s boss.
Q3  Do you have any pet peeves?
Having to wear a dress. They’re dreadful contraptions, especially when combined with corsets. I love my silk pai jamahs and wear them as often as I can. But don’t tell Guy. He thinks they’re far too provocative to be wearing about.
Q4  What do you do for fun when you aren’t “serving” your country or pursing your vengeance?
I love lounging lakeside on a blanket with Guy. Sometimes we practice our Tai Chi together and I find that so soothing. When Guy’s not around, I enjoy honing my knife-throwing skills. A lady in my line of business never knows when the need to protect oneself (or others) might arise.
Q5  What is the one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?
When I was in France, I realized I had another talent besides ballroom spying. Matchmaking. No, no, no, I did not actively employ this special skill on my enemy. I simply observed the interactions of others and placed wagers with myself. If I had turned my talent into a trade, I would be an independently wealthy woman. I wonder if this secret skill will be useful now that I’m back in England?
Final Question for giveaway: 
If you (either Tracey or Cora- LOL) could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?
BONUS Question:  If I were a kitten, my fur would be the color of______.

Thank you again for sharing.

Thanks—love the format of your interview questions. So fun!

Please leave a comment for a chance to win a print copy of A Lady’s Revenge (U.S. and Canada only, please.)

* * *

BRIEF SUMMARY OF A LADY’S REVENGE:

A British agent flees her French captor’s torturous dungeon and falls in love with the decoder responsible for her imprisonment.

NOTHING GETS BETWEEN A LADY AND HER VENGEANCE
In a daring rescue, beautiful and wily secret operative Cora deBeau is reunited with her childhood friend Guy Trevelyan, who wants so much more from her now than friendship…

HE’LL STOKE THE FIRE UNTIL THEY BOTH GO UP IN FLAMES
But Cora’s mission against the French has become personal, and even the fire between her and Guy won’t deter her. When it comes to getting sweet, cruel revenge, nothing will stand in a lady’s way…

* * *

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracey Devlyn writes historical romantic thrillers (translation: a slightly more grievous journey toward the heroine's happy ending). An Illinois native, Tracey spends her evenings harassing her once-in-a-lifetime husband and her weekends torturing her characters. For more information on Tracey, including her Internet haunts, contest updates, and details on her upcoming novels, please visit her website at:


TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR A PRINT COPY 
1. Comment on this Interview or my Review. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, Answer Tracey's Bonus Question at the end of the interview above (in red.)

3.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two more entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Five total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER.
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Limit one win per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on April 27, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on April 28 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

2012 Challenges - Post Four (11 - 14) New Authors, Recommended & Just For Fun

Eleven (New Authors) and Fourteen (12 Books Just for Fun) Completed
Twelve (five books I did three and two close but Thirteen - Read Recommendations - Dismally Failed.
I love finding new Authors and I am hoping to read at least 20 in this challenge. That is less than two a month and hopefully realistic.
ELEVEN: New Authors



Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels.  Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.

01.  52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier, Healthier You by Brett Blumenthal; Nonfiction, Fitness;  my Rating 4.5.
02.  Bossypants by Tina Fey; Memoir; my Rating 4.0.
03.  Scrumptious by Amanda Usen; Contemporary Romance; my Rating 4.25.
04.  Love Engineered by Jenna Dawlish; Historical Romance; my Rating 4.0.
05.  The Second Sonata by Nathan Patrick Hardt; Fiction; my Rating 4.25.
06.  Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1 by Kevin Hearne; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.
07.  Smitten Anthology; Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter; Contemporary Romance; my Rating 4.25. (Three of the four authors were new to me.)
08.  How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.25. 
09.  Deeper Water by Robert Whitlow; Christian Mystery; my rating 4.75.
10.  Miss Hildreth Wore Brown by Olivia deBelle Byrd; humor antidotes; 4.25.
11.  A Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom; Paranormal romance; my rating 4.5. 
12.  The Rook by Daniel O'Malley; Fantasy Thriller; my rating 4.25.
13.  Midnight Reckoning (Dark Dynasties) by Kendra Leigh Castle; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5.
14.  Grant Me Timely Grace by Timothy Woods; Historical Fiction; my rating 4.25.
15.  Firelight by Kristen Callihan; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5.
16.  The Whisperer by Donato Carrisi; Psychological Thriller; my rating 4.5
17.  Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace; Historical Rom; rating 3.75. 
18.  The Theft of Swords by Michael Sullivan; Fantasy Adventure; my rating 4.75. 
19.   A Holiday Explained-A Christmas Short Short Story by J. Steven York,  macabre story; my rating 4.0.
20.   Journey in Time by Chris Karlsen; Time Travel Romance; my rating 4.25.
21.   My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond; Fantasy, YA; my rating 4.5. 
22.   Deliver Me From Darkness by Tess Hilaire; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5. 
23.   Bleed For Me by Michael Robotham; Crime Fiction; my rating 4.25.
24.  The  Canker Death by James R. Bottino; Fantasy; my rating 3.0.
25.  The Night is Mine by M.L. Buchman; Military, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.75. 
AND MANY MORE!

TWELVE: Book Blogger Recommendation
Check the link for the Recommended books.
I am signing up for Level I - Read 5 books from the 2011 Book Blogger Recommendation List

Here are books from the list I am interested in although I don't know which I'll end up reading:
  1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver 
  2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (on my shelf)
  3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  4. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (I did read Summer's Crossing in this series)
  5. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater
  6. The Eye of the World, by Robert Jordan
  7. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 
  8. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 
  9. 12.21.12 by Killian McRae
  10. How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper (in my Audible Library)
  11. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson 
  12. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (I did read the Graveyard Book by this Author)
  13. Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey (on my Kindle)
  14. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater --YES I am ready for this one!!
  15. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook


THIRTEEN: Books Recommended by other Bloggers.

Bookie Friends Favorites Challenge
Add links to your 5 favorite books.

Visit the other participants and choose 3-12 of their favorite books to read.
You can choose them all at once or as you go.
Add the title to your original post, making sure to link back to the person whose favorite it is. 
I hope to read 12 books based upon recommendations.

More of my Favorite books and recommendations are in this POST but here are my top five choices:

1.  Paranormal SciFi Romance: The Project Universe series by Pauline Baird Jones. I recommend you start in order with Book 1, The Key.
2. Awesome Writing: To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal - Fiction.
3. Fun Steampunk - start with book one in the series! I love this series on audio. Soulless 
by Gail Carriger - Paranormal/Steampunk Romance..
4. I really enjoy this Author and loved the Study Series! Inside Out (Harlequin Teen) by Maria V. Snyder - YA, Sci Fi, Fantasy.
5. Encouraging and motivational: Review: Working it Out by Abby Rike;
 

List for Thirteen and Fourteen
Here are some of the books I am planning to pick up based on other blogger recommendations:
I didn't read a single one. :-)
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09.
10.
11.
12.

FOURTEEN Just For Fun
12 books in 12 months.
This year this challenge will be set up as a group on Good Reads. See all the instructions at Dollycas' post.
I am committing to read just one book for fun each month!  
I think I should have linked this with my first post, TBR and Books Won, but I didn't want to go back and shuffle numbers again. :-)
JANUARY -- How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
FEBRUARY -- Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
MARCH -- Lethal Legacy by Carol Ann Erhardt
APRIL -- Crusade: Destroyermen, Book 2 by Taylor Anderson
MAY -- Stranded with a Spy by Merline Lovelace
JUNE -- Web of Evil by J.A. Jance - Audio Book
JULY -- Heroes Die Young and The Graveyard Book
AUGUST -- He of The Fiery Sword by Skhye Moncrief
SEPTEMBER -- Summer Crossing by Julie Kagawa
OCTOBER -- The Halloween Collective - Indie Authors
NOVEMBER -- Missing by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
DECEMBER -- Christmas in an Elevator

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